We Believe
Main Beliefs (Doctrine):
Essentials ** (2 stars) : Without holding these beliefs, one cannot be saved.
Critically Important * (1 star): without holding these beliefs, one may have salvation, however, a persons view of God may be impaired, and over time their relationship with God may be impaired or damaged, and their salvation will become jeopardized. Fellowship with other Christians may also be impaired, since our fellowship with one another is through and because of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit.
Fundamentals (not starred): Beliefs of our ministers and fellowship groups (meaning our church groups, not meaning other Christians with whom we have fellowship in Christ with). Without holding these, it is impossible for an organization to remain united. We do not allow those who do not hold to these beliefs, or those who challenge these in a repeated way, to minister within our organization. These are binding within our group, but does not hinder us from working with other groups or Christians side-by-side. Included in the Fundamentals are the Essentials, the Critically Important, as well as additional doctrines that are, all together, necessary for unity of amongst us and for our ministers.
Main Beliefs: Our Fundamentals.
These fundamentals are a requirement for all who minister in our groups and for our fellowships, to believe and strongly adhere to in doctrine and practice.
1. The Scriptures Inspired **
2. The One True God **
3. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ **
4. The Fall of Man **
5. The Salvation of Man **
6. The Ordinances of the Church
7. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
8. The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
9. Sanctification *
10. The Church and Its Mission *
11. The Ministry
12. Divine Healing
13. The Blessed Hope – The Resurrection of the Saints*
14. The Millennial Reign of Christ *
15. The Final Judgment **
16. The New Heavens and the New Earth
17. The Sovereignty of God *
18. No Extra-scriptural or "new-found" Doctrines *
19. A God-directed Life and The Priesthood of the Believer *
20. The Great Commission
21. Person-hood and Marriage, As is Since Creation (includes creation) *
22. The Eternal Security of the Believer *
23.
1) The Scriptures, Inspired Word of God
The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, the 66 books of the Bible, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, and without error as originally written, is the authoritative rule of faith and conduct for all mankind. 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21
2) The One True God
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent "I AM," the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11, Matthew 28:19, Luke 3:22
The Adorable Godhead
a. Terms Defined
The terms "Trinity" and "persons" as related to the Godhead, while not found in the Scriptures, are words in harmony with Scripture, whereby we may convey to others our immediate understanding of the doctrine of Christ respecting the Being of God, as distinguished from "gods many and lords many." We therefore may speak with propriety of the Lord our God who is One Lord, as a trinity or as one Being of three persons, and still be absolutely scriptural. Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14; John 14:16-17.
b. Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead
Christ taught a distinction of Persons in the Godhead which He expressed in specific terms of relationship, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but that this distinction and relationship, as to its mode is inscrutable and incomprehensible, because unexplained. Luke 1:35; 1 Cor 1:24; Matt. 11:25-27; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14; 1 Jn 1:3-4)
c. Unity of the One Being of Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Accordingly, therefore, there is that in the Father which constitutes him the Father and not the Son; there is that in the Son which constitutes Him the Son and not the Father; and there is that in the Holy Spirit which constitutes Him the Holy Spirit and not either the Father or the Son. Wherefore the Father is the Begetter, the Son is the Begotten, and the Holy Spirit is the one proceeding from the Father and the Son. Therefore, because these three persons in the Godhead are in a state of unity, there is but one Lord God Almighty and His name one. John 1:18; John 15:26; John 17:11; John 17:21; Zechariah 14:9
d. Identity and Cooperation in the Godhead
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are never identical as to Person; nor confused as to relation; nor divided in respect to the Godhead; nor opposed as to cooperation. The Son is in the Father and the Father is in the Son as to relationship. The Son is with the Father and the Father is with the Son, as to fellowship. The Father is not from the Son, but the Son is from the Father, as to authority. The Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son proceeding, as to nature, relationship, cooperation and authority. Hence, neither Person in the Godhead either exists or works separately or independently of the others. John 5:17-30; John 5:32; John 5:37; John 8:17,18
e. The Title, Lord Jesus Christ
The appellation, "Lord Jesus Christ," is a proper name. It is never applied in the New Testament, either to the Father or to the Holy Spirit. It therefore belongs exclusively to the Son of God. Romans 1:1-3,7; 2 John 3 .
f. The Lord Jesus Christ, God with Us
The Lord Jesus Christ, as to His divine and eternal nature, is the proper and only Begotten of the Father, but as to His human nature, He is the proper Son of Man. He is therefore, acknowledged to be both God and man; who because He is God and man is "Immanuel," God with us. Matt. 1:23; 1 John 4:2; 1 John 4:10; 1 John 4:14; Rev. 1:13; Rev. 1:17 .
g. The Title, Son of God
Since the name "Immanuel" embraces both God and man in the one Person, our Lord Jesus Christ, it follows that the title, Son of God, describes His proper deity, and the title, Son of Man, His proper humanity. Therefore, the title Son of God, belongs to the order of eternity, and the title, Son of Man, to the order of time. Matthew 1:21-23; 2 John 1:3; 1 John 3:8; Hebrews 7:3; Hebrews 1:1-13 .
h. Transgression of the Doctrine of Christ
Wherefore, it is a transgression of the Doctrine of Christ to say that Jesus Christ derived the title, Son of God, solely from the fact of the incarnation, or because of His relation to the economy of redemption. Therefore, to deny that the Father is a real and eternal Father, and that the Son is a real and eternal Son, is a denial of the distinction and relationship in the Being of God; a denial of the Father, and the Son; and a displacement of the truth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. 2 Jn 9; Jn 1:1; Jn 1:2; Jn 1:14; Jn 1:18; Jn 1:29; Jn 1:49; 1 Jn 2:22,23; 1 Jn 4:1-5; Heb 12:2 .
i. Exaltation of Jesus Christ as Lord
The Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, having by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; angels and principalities and powers having been made subject unto Him. And having been made both Lord and Christ, He sent the Holy Spirit that we, in the name of Jesus, might bow our knees and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father until the end, when the Son shall become subject to the Father that God may be all in all. Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 3:22; Acts 2:32-36; Romans 14:11; 1 Cor 15:24-28 .
j. Equal Honor to the Father and to the Son
Wherefore, since the Father has delivered all judgment unto the Son, it is not only the express duty of all in heaven and on earth to bow the knee, but it is an unspeakable joy in the Holy Spirit to ascribe unto the Son all the attributes of Deity, and to give Him all honor and the glory contained in all the names and titles of the Godhead except those which express relationship (see Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead, Unity of the One Being of Father, Son and Holy Spirit , and Identity and Cooperation in the Godhead) and thus honor the Son even as we honor the Father. John 5:22,23; 1 Peter 1:8; Rev. 5:6-14; Phil. 2:8,9; Rev. 7:9-10; Rev. 4:8-11 .
3) The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:
A) His virgin birth: Matt 1:23; Luke 1:31; Luke 1:35
B) His sinless life: Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22
C) His miracles: Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38
D) His substitutionary work on the cross: 1 Cor 15:3; 2 Cor 5:21
E) His bodily resurrection from the dead: Matt. 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Cor 15:4
F) His exaltation to the right hand of God: Acts 1:9; Acts 1:11; Acts 2:33; Phil. 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3
4) The Fall of Man
Man was created good and upright; for God said, "Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness." However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God. Genesis 1:26,27; Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:6; Romans 5:12-19
5) The Salvation of Man (Justification, Regeneration, and New Birth)
Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
A) Conditions to Salvation:
Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God, according to the hope of eternal life. Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; Titus 3:5-7 .
B) The New Man (New Birth):
The regeneration by the Holy Spirit of God creates a new man (born-again of the Spirit).
C) The Evidence of Salvation:
The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit. Romans 8:16
The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12
6) The Ordinances of the Church
A) Baptism in Water
1) The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Saviour and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47,48; Romans 6:4.
2) Baptism itself does not make a person clean or saved from their sin, but it is an outward expression and a public proclamation of the work done by the Holy Spirit (a confession to others), in their heart prior to the baptism, having received from God the forgiveness of sins (by faith in Jesus, and His atoning sacrifice on the cross), prior to the baptism. It is done in obedience to the Scriptures command to be baptized in water, in the name of the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.
B) Holy Communion
1) The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements --bread and the fruit of the vine-- is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4), a memorial of his suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26), and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26), and is enjoined on all believers "till He come!"
2) Holy Communion is not the actual body of Christ, nor does it become the body of Christ, but is a solemnly serious ceremony to remember and proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ’s death, until He comes again, by true believers in Jesus.
3) Taking communion does not forgive sins nor make a person right with God, and in-fact should not be eaten unless that someone has been saved through faith in Jesus as their personal Savior, fully repented of their sins, and received forgiveness for their sins prior to taking holy communion (1 Cor 11:27-31).
4) Holy Communion must not be taken by, nor given to anyone who has not received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and repented of their sins.
7) The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
a) All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31)
b) This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth: (Acts 8:12-17; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11:14-16; Acts 15:7-9)
c) With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as:
• an overflowing fullness of the Spirit, (John 7:37-39, Acts 4:8)
• a deepened reverence for God, (Acts 2:43, Hebrews 12:28)
• an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work, (Acts 2:42)
• and a more active love for Christ, for His Word and for the lost, (Mark 16:20)
• boldness and to proclaim Jesus Christ to the world with power. (Acts 4:31)
8) The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
a) The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance, Acts 2:4, which the Bible calls ‘prophecy’ in Joel 2:28-29, Acts 2:16-18, and Isaiah 28:11.
b) Prophesying should be desired (1 Cor 14:39) not be despised (1 Thess 5:19-20), and speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance should not be forbidden (1 Cor 14:39).
c) The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues, but is different in purpose and use. (1 Corinthians 12:4-10; 1 Corinthians 12:28)
9) Sanctification (results in holiness from sin, and being solely unto God)
A) Entire Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil (the world), and of dedication unto God. (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12; Rev 18:4-5)
B) Sanctification is absolutely necessary for all believers, following salvation, for the Scriptures teach a life of "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14, which means those who are not sanctified will not be in Heaven. (1 Thess 4:1-8; Rev 21:7-8; Eph ch.4, 2 Tim 2:19).
C) By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command: "Be ye holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15-16).
D) Sanctification is accomplished in the believer, through the Holy Spirit, by recognizing, through revelation by the Holy Spirit, his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by the faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit. (Rom 6:1-11; Rom 6:13; Rom 8:1,2; Rom 8:13; Gal 2:20; Phil 2:12,13; 1 Pet 1:5).
E) Sanctification is both a major event subsequent to salvation, and ongoing in the life of a Christian throughout the rest of their life (progressive sanctification), and Scriptures teach us to pursue it. (1 Tim 6:11; 2 Tim 2:22; 1 Pet 3:10-12).
F) The Word of God: By the Word of God (the sword of the Spirit), and obedience to it (1 Pet 1:22), we are cleansed and sanctified, not having a spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but holy and without blemish. Eph 5:26-27, thus the word of God is a necessary part of sanctification. John 17:17.
G) Sanctification is, on the part of the believer, done by separating ourselves from sin (thoughts, actions, and inactions), sinful things, sinful places, sinning brothers, false teachings/doctrines, (consecration) and unto God instead, in the fear of God, as it is written, “come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Cor 6:14-7:1, Rev 18:4). Continuing in sanctification is often called being ‘sober’ in the Scriptures. (1 Thess 5:4-8; Titus 2:4-8; 1 Pet 1:13-14, 4:6-7; 5:8)
10) The Church and its Mission
A) The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, of which are each one’s name written in heaven. (Eph 1:22,23; Eph 2:22; Heb 12:23).
B) The Church, as the Body of Christ, is not a building, nor an institution, nor a corporation, nor a denomination, not a work of man, but rather, it is spiritual. The Church is all saints who are born-again by the Holy Spirit of God, whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, written before the foundation of the world, as “God does not dwell in temples made with human hands” (Acts 7:48,17:24; Is 66:1-2), and, “Where two or three are gathered in My Name, there am I among them” (Matt 18:20). “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 2:5).
C) The function of the Church in a local group of the body of believers (a fellowship): Since God’s purpose concerning man is to seek and to save that which is lost, to be worshipped by man, and to make disciples of Jesus Christ:
1) To individually and collectively be an agency of God for evangelizing the world. (Acts 1:8; Matt 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16)
2) To be a group body in which we may worship God together. (1 Cor 12:13)
3) To feed the sheep by teaching and preaching the whole counsel of God, and having done so, be innocent of all men’s blood by warning every man to live soberly (not in sin), righteously, and godly, in this present world (Ezekiel 3, 33; Acts 20:26-31, Col 1:28, Titus 2:12-14)
4) To be a channel of God’s purpose to build up the body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son. (Eph 4:11-16; 1 Cor 12:28; 1 Cor 14:12, Col 1:28, Titus 2:12-14)
5) To be a people who demonstrate God’s love in action for the physical and spiritual needs of those of the household of faith primarily, then also for others as well (the poor). (Psalms 112:9; Gal 2:10; 6:10; James 1:27)
6) To be salt and light in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, the world. To be different from the world, a reflection of Jesus Christ as a witness to the majesty of God and a witness against the world to warn of the wrath to come.
D) The local group of believers should give continuing emphasis to the New Testament apostolic pattern by teaching and encouraging believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. This experience:
1) Enables them to evangelize in the power of the Spirit with accompanying supernatural signs. Mark 16:15-20; Acts 4:29-31; Hebrews 2:3-4
2) Adds a necessary dimension to worshipful relationship with God. 1 Cor 2:10-16; 1 Cor 12; 1 Cor 13; 1 Cor 14
3) Enables them to respond to the full working of the Holy Spirit in expression of fruit and gifts and ministries as in New Testament times for the edifying of the body of Christ. (Gal 5:22-26; Gal 6:10; 1 Cor 14:12; Eph 4:11-13; 1 Cor 12:28; Col 1:28)
11) The Ministry
A divinely called (not called by man nor an institution) and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the threefold purpose of leading the Church in:
A) Evangelization of the world. (Mark 16:15-20)
B) Worship of God. (John 4:23-24)
C) Building-up the body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
D) Strengthening the body of Christ (Heb 10:24-25)
12) Divine Healing
Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. God, still today, heals physically, emotionally, and spiritually, does miracles, signs and wonders, as He wills and grants according to His sovereign will and purposes, as a part of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the establishment of the Church, and for the needs of the saints, and has not ceased, nor will cease until Jesus Christ returns physically. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers. (Isaiah 53:4,5; Matt 8:16,17; James 5:14-16). We do not find any Scriptural evidence that these have yet ceased, rather quite the opposite, thus we resolutely denounce cessationism and believe it is a result of misinterpreting of the Scriptures pertaining to this (a clear reading of 1 Cor 13:8-12 makes it obvious, especially in v.12, that it is speaking of the return of Jesus and being with Him forever, not the writing of the Bible. See also 1 John 3:1-3.)
13) The Blessed Hope- The Resurrection of the Saints
a) We believe in the premillennial, actual and physical second coming of Jesus Himself. The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the church. (1 Thess 4:16,17; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor 15:51,52).
b) We do not believe the rapture has occurred yet, nor can occur until the events listed in 2 Thessalonians 2 are fulfilled first (The Falling Away, and the revealing of the ‘son of perdition’, who is the Anti-Christ). (2 Thess 2).
c) We believe in the doctrine of “Imminence”, meaning that a person should always be ready, expecting/expectant, and prepared to meet the Lord, even if He should come or we should die at an unexpected moment. We should recall to mind that with the Rapture, the dead in Christ rise first, then we who are alive and remain, next- and death does often occur unexpectedly. We do not believe in a definition of Imminence that teaches that the Rapture may occur at any moment before the events listed in 2 Thess 2, since that would contradict Scripture (2 Thess 2).
d) We do not believe “the blessed hope” is escape from tribulation (Acts 14:22; Rom 5:3-4,8:35,12:12; Rev 1:9,2:9-11; 1 Thess 3:3-5), but that is rather, whether we are still alive or dead in Christ, Jesus will appear again as He promised, God’s saints will be caught-up to meet Him in the air and be changed into His likeness- resurrected to be with our Lord Jesus Christ forever according to His promise, the completion of our salvation. (1 Peter 1:3-5,13; Titus 2:13; 1Thess 5:8; 1Thess 4:13-14; 1 John 3:2-3)
e) We believe that when Jesus Christ does return in His glory to resurrect His saints, the “Rapture” of all the saints, it will not be secret nor hidden, but rather obvious for all the world to see; and He will at that time establish His earthly kingdom. (Matthew 24:26-31, Acts 1:9-11, Acts 3:19-21).
f) We do not believe in more than one second-coming of the Lord (nor third, fourth, etc, nor broken into "phases"), only one. Thus, when the rapture occurs as He is coming, at the last trumpet, we meet Him in the air. "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thess 4:13-17)
g) Just prior to or at the time of the return of Jesus, there will be signs in the heavens and signs in the earth both: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." (Matt 24:29-30; Mark 13:23-26;Luke 21:25-27; Rev 6:10-13-17 (also Isaiah 13:6-13; Joel 2:1-11,30-31,3:13-16; Acts 2:18-20)
14) The Millennial Reign of Christ
a) The second coming of Christ is literal, future, soon, and includes the rapture of the saints (who meet Him in the air as He is coming down from Heaven), which is our blessed hope (eternal life with Jesus), which is soon followed by the visible and physical return of Christ with His saints to reign on earth for one thousand years. (Zechariah 14:5; Matt 24:27; Matt 24:30; Rev 1:7; Rev 19:11-14; Rev 20:1-6)
b) This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel: (Ez 37:21-22; Zep 3:19-20; Rom 11:26-27)
c) and the establishment of complete peace on Earth: (Isaiah 11:6-9; Psalms 72:3-8; Micah 4:3,4)
d) We do not believe that 1) we are currently in the millennial reign of Christ (the whole world will visibly see Him return like lightning that stretches across the sky is seen by all), nor 2) that it is the purpose of Christians, prior to the return of Jesus Christ to Earth, to transform the world, its governments, and its leaders into being “Christian”, but rather God is calling out from the world a people chosen by Him to be separate and different (in the world, but not of it), to be light and salt in this present evil world, proclaiming Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, and the soon coming wrath upon sinners; until Jesus Christ physically returns to gather His saints (those dead, and those alive and remaining), and to destroys the evil persons from the Earth (the wicked and the world, those who received the Mark of the Beast, and those who have not repented and turned to God by faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Only Begotten Son).
15) The Final Judgment
There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the Devil and his angels, the Beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to the everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. No liberation nor annihilation. (Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 3:29, 9:43-48; 2 Thessalonians 1: 8, 9; Revelation 19:20, 20:10-15; 21:8)
16) The New Heavens and the New Earth
"We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." (2 Peter 3:13; Rev 21; Rev 22). We believe this will occur after the actual physical millennial (1000 years) reign of Jesus as King over the whole earth.
17) The Sovereignty of God
A) God is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. God is not somehow caught by own His words since "He is the Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end" and knows the complete result of His Word, and directs His Word to accomplish His desired outcome.
B) God is in ultimate control and has not relinquished that control,
(1) In and over Creation (Rev 4:11, Gen 1:1, Ps 135:6, Ps 115:3, Prov 16:4, Is 40:17-18, 1 Cor 15:41),
(2) In administration (innate matter) (Ps 103:19; Heb 1:3; Ex 9:23-26; Ex 10:21-23; Mk 4:39; Mt 2:9; Ps 147:15-18; Amos 4:7-10),
(3) Over Animals: (Gen 6:19-20; Ex 8:13, 22, 9:3-6; 1 Sam 6:12, 1 Kings 17:2-4)
(4) Over People: (Acts 17:28; Prov 16:1,9, 19:21, 21:1, 4:23, 23:7; Lk 12:17-20; Isa. 46:9, 10; Ps. 2:1-4)
(5) Over angels/demons: (1 Chron. 21:15, 27; Acts 12:11; Rev. 22:6; Judges 9:23; 1 Kings 22:2; 1 Sam. 16:14; Matt. 4:11; Job 1-3),
(6) Over and above time: (lamb of God before the foundation of the world (Rev 1:8;Matt 25:34; Eph 1:4; 1 Pet 1:20; Rev 13:8; Isaiah 26:7; Psalms 139:16)
(6) Over events/situations: (Job chapters 1-3; ; ; )
C) We do not believe God gave-up any of His sovereignty to man, as some have wrongly interpreted Gen 1:28-30 (also see God's sovereignty at work subsequently in Gen 6:7), nor in Gen 9:1-3 (we believe this is 'delegated authority/dominion' and that God is still sovereign over all His creation). Whether or not God chooses to intervene at any point is of His own sovereign will and He does not require any human intervention (spoken or otherwise), though he may chose to use us as part of His plan. We actually believe that God is really God! We do not believe, as some have falsely and blasphemously taught that man spoke Jesus, who is God, into being!
D) We believe God is not only aware of all things, not only that He allows or denies certain things to happen, but that He moreover fully engineers the life and circumstances of a saint’s (every Believer’s) life, both things good (the happy things), and things evil (the unhappy things), and that “all things [both good and bad] work together for the good of those who love God, and are called according to His purpose.”
18) No Extra-scriptural or "new-found" Doctrines
All doctrine must line up with the written Word of God (the Holy Scriptures) and not be added to nor taken away from.
A) We do not believe there is being laid new doctrine upon what Jesus and the Apostles (of Jesus' day, about 2000 years ago) have already laid, in the closed canon of the Scriptures (see #1). (1 Cor 3:9-11; Gal 1:6-10; John 12:48, 2 Thess 1:5-10)
B) We believe the Acts Church in the Book of Acts is a principled pattern for the body of Christ (the Church) in and by the Holy Spirit, to function as He wills and guides (as well as 1&2 Corinthians, Romans, Timothy, etc.) The pattern has been laid, recorded, and is settled. New principles and their patterns have, since Jesus, frequently caused deviation from God’s Word and from Christ Himself, who was/is the Word of God that was made flesh, and is the Head of His Church (eg incorporating worldly business and management principles/practices, or other worldly principles/practices such as Psychology, into the church). (Matt 18:20; 1 Cor 11:1-2; 1 Cor 14:37-38; Hebrews 9:1,9-10; 2 Thess 2:14-15)
C) There is only one new covenant, that is the one in Jesus Christ which will continue until His physical/bodily return (the second coming of Christ). We categorically reject that there are any new covenants between God and mankind that are added since the first coming of Christ until His second coming. (1 Cor 11:25-26).
D) We do not believe modern cultures should have any bearing on our current beliefs on the Holy Scriptures whatsoever. Our current beliefs should be exactly the same as was the Apostles of Jesus’s day, and these were recorded for our benefit in the Scriptures. We denounce “Contextualization”, “Intersectionality”, Critical-race theory, and “liberation” theologies of the various sorts, as all these malleate and pervert the Word of God to accommodate man’s cultures/traditions (whether new or old) that are unbiblical. The Bible, the Word of God must guide our perspective and beliefs about cultures and traditions, not ever vice-versa. We denounce the doctrines of the world, including those of today’s popular culture(s) which are contrary to the Scriptures. (Mark 7:11-13; Matt 15:4-8; 1 Cor 1:17-19)
E) Man’s theories on the Bible and categorizations, are just that- man’s theories and categories, and these are not the actual Word of God (eg Covenantalism and Dispensationalism, Calvinism and Arminianism, etc, etc.) God’s Word alone is our standard to which we are to align with, not man’s viewpoints nor philosophies. Elevation of man’s views and philosophies is idolatry and contrary to Scripture. (Col 2:8; 1 Cor 2:12-16)
19) The God-directed Life and The Priesthood of the Believer
A) By God’s Word, written and spoken: All true Christians hear from God in their hearts and should get their direction, guidance, and instruction from Him directly, as it is written, "My sheep hear my voice".(John 10:16,27; Rom 8:5-6,14-16, 27; 1 Cor 2:12-14; 1 Cor 6:17; 1 Cor 12:all; )
1) We believe a Christian should be directed through God's Word- both the written/logos (the Bible) and the spoken/Rhema (God speaking to your heart), and that the spoken/Rhema should line up with and never be contradictory to the Logos/Bible but rather should be tested against the Scripture. (1 Cor 2:12-16; Acts 17:10-11; 2 Tim 2:15;1 Jn 2:3-5; 2 Pet 2:3-5; 2 Cor 11:4; 1 John 5:10; Rev 2:7)
2) The Scriptures are the gold-standard for determining that the word is truly from God because a person can deceive themselves, but subsequently and secondarily the spirit of that word should be tested as well (try the spirits to see whether they are of God)- the word should only be received if it passes both tests. (1 John 4:1-3).
3) God did not intend the Scriptures to replace the guiding and leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives in the small things not mentioned in Scripture (such as, should I buy this car or house, or what should I share with this group of believers today from the Word), but rather to stand as the unchangeable and living Word of God, the standard for belief, conduct and practice, that which is checked against to examine what is said or taught, etc. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim 3:16-17. The same, and only, Holy Spirit that inspired the very words of the Bible, also dwells in us who have the Spirit of Christ, those who have Jesus in their hearts; not today for the purpose of writing Scriptures (absolutely no), but to guide and lead us in our daily life. And since God never changes, and He never lies nor contradicts Himself, nothing He says to a person's heart today, will ever violate or contradict the written Word of God (the Bible), but will only ever affirm it. In fact, without the presence and guiding of the Holy Spirit, Scripture itself cannot even be understood or interpreted correctly, because the words of the Bible are Spirit, and the natural mind finds them to be foolishness, cannot accept or understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Cor 2:12-16)
B) The Priesthood of the believer: Each and every true Christian has a personal relationship with Jesus and a direct line of communication with God Himself (the priesthood of the believer).
1) While God can and does speak through others, it will likely only confirm what God has spoken to the Christian receiving the word, already in his/her heart. The purpose of any such Word from the Lord will be for the purpose of edification only and not for destruction. (2 Cor 13:10)
2) A Christian should listen for the Lord’s voice, no matter from where it comes – so long as it is the Lord who is speaking- from (parents, pastors, fellow Christians, believing children, or even a donkey). However, because of the direct line of communication that a Christian who is in good standing with the Lord has, the Christian needs no one between him/her and God, in-fact, no Christian should allow anyone (“shepherding” idolatry, not “anyone” includes our natural-man/self idolatry) or anything (idolatry) to come between them and God, nor their good and holy relationship with Him (we are one-Spirit with Jesus (1 Cor 6:17); and we are not one with one another, except by/through the Spirit, so our relationship with Jesus is direct and not through another). God alone can forgive our sins against Him. Jesus Christ is our only intermediary between us and the Father, and there is no other name given under Heaven by which a man can be saved.
3) This ongoing two-way communication with God is one thing that prevents Christians from following false and destructive teachings. (Build yourself up in the most holy faith; those who pray in tongues edify themselves; being ‘watchful’ is done in/through prayer, time spent with God- which by implication, has/gives vision).
4) We should also desire the pure milk of the Word of God, that we may grow thereby. God will speak to us through the Bible especially, highlighting Scriptures to us as we read them. Jesus washes us with His Word. (see #8, Sanctification)
C) Jesus is our Lord!: Living a life that is God-directed.
1) “Why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46)
2) In the new covenant put in place through the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord on the cross for us, “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.” Heb 8:10-11. The new covenant includes a renewed mind (Rom 12:1-2) that God puts His laws into, and He writes them on the heart, so that they will be God’s people. And they will all know God, not through human instruction, but by personally knowing Him, by revelation by God the Holy Ghost in our hearts. That new mind and new heart correspond, bear witness with the Holy Ghost within us, giving us direction, guidance, instruction, and a knowing kind of knowledge of God. This means there is a 2-way communication, within the genuine Christian, with us and God, else you could not know Him in that way, you would not have those laws of God (written by God Himself- The Holy Ghost) on our hearts and in our minds.
3) We are told to “be of one mind” with other believers. The word for one mind is ὁμόφρων homophren (same heart, same mind, agreeing). This is possible because we who are true Christians have the Holy Ghost indwelling us, and thus it is possible, and it is the expectation, for each and every one of us to have the mind of Christ: and having the same mind and heart by the same Holy Spirit, we can have the same heart, same mind, agree – because Christ is not divided. That means we do get direction, mind, heart direction from God- each of us, if we walk in the Spirit, proving what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. (Rom 12:1-2; Phil 1:27,2:2; Heb 8:10-11,10:16; Eph 4:22-24; Col 3:9-10; Rom 8:5-9,15:4-6; 1 Cor 1:9-10; 1 Cor 2:14-16).
4) God’s wisdom not earthly/man’s wisdom: We do not believe the wisdom of man should direct his steps as it is written, "there is a way that seems right to a man but it leads to death", and warning about “earthly wisdom” (1 Cor 1, James). Wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,…. The foolishness of God is higher than man’s wisdom.
Although God does lead us, we do not believe that a person will ever fully understand God or His sovereign ways on this earth or elsewhere, or in the age to come, because we are the creation and He is the Creator; and a student is never greater than his Teacher.
Even when human logic dictates a particular life course/direction because "it just makes sense", "everybody does it", or “trying to do my due diligence”, the Word of God should be heeded instead.
Thus, we believe the "carnal/fleshly mind is enmity against God" and that we should not "lean upon our own understanding but in all our ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths" (Prov 3:5-6). Jesus said “Not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the will of My Father” Matt, James)
5) We denounce the idea that God is not speaking to the hearts and minds of His people except through the Bible, still today – that is just not Scriptural (see references for 20.1 above). We denounce that only Apostles and Prophets of time of Acts (now expired) are the only people who hear from God. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that. As it is written,
“Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 2Cor 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.” (2 Cor 3:2-3). We believe that a Christian must allow the Lord to lead their life. The Bible does not speak of every situation that a Christian will face, it was not intended to- both what is in the Bible, as well as what is not in the Bible is purposed by God. God desires a living relationship with each believer, and He leads His people in their lives more and more as we seek Him for direction (Prov 3:5-6). The Bible, being the written Word of God must be our guide in all things it speaks of, as well as concepts and principles that it also teaches. Care must be taken not to seek God with a divided heart (James 1,3) but rather, crucify the flesh and its desires and seek God from a pure heart. Seeking God with a divided heart may result in getting the desires of the fleshly mind instead (what your wicked heart would like to hear). (Gal 5:18; James 1:7-8,21-23,3:8-12,4:1-10; )
20) The Great Commission
We believe it is the responsibility of every believer to share their testimony of their salvation, as a testimony unto Jesus Christ to all, as means of sharing the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to their neighbors. God has also called some to preach the Gospel, and is also described in #10 (The church and it's mission) and in #11 (The ministry) above, both in word and in deed, and by example without hypocrisy. God has also called some to teach the Word faithfully to the nations, teaching them to observe all things that Jesus commanded.
21) Person-hood and Marriage, As Since Creation
In the beginning, God created everything that exists, including mankind, we do not believe in the belief commonly called “evolution”, it is a lie from Satan. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Gen 1-3). We hold to the literal reading of Genesis, meaning everything was made in six actual days, and that any other reading of Genesis is not holding to the authority and inerrancy of the Scriptures (see #1, “The Scriptures, Inspired Word of God”).
A) According to the Bible, there are only two sexes/genders, male and female, as it is written, “In the beginning, God created them male and female”. Males and Females, were made this way by the Word of God at the time of creation, now also passed down through the generations of mankind, and written upon every strand of DNA in every cell of a person’s body- and cannot be changed. God created some differences between men and women, making them different from each other in many ways, known and unknown, yet both, together, are mankind. We are “fearfully and wonderfully made”.
B) Man was made from the dust of the earth. God made woman from a rib taken from man (Adam), therefore women came out from man. Adam said, “bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh, she shall be called woman”. Thus, the word “mankind” is the most appropriate word to be used to mean human (Gen 5:1), and recognizes our being created by God, and how He did so.
C) Mankind was made in God’s image, making us different and distinct from the rest of creation, and deserving of being treated with great deference by one another, as being created in the image of our Creator, which animals are not. (James 3, Gen 9:3-6, Gen 11)
D) Marriage is an institution created by God alone, not by man, nor governments, and is only for a genuine man with a genuine woman. Thus marriage is defined by God in Scripture (Gen 1-2, Matt 19:4)
E) In marriage, the two become one flesh, and are no longer two, but one, and God, not some human-being, put the man as the head/authority of it, not the woman. (Matt 19:5-6; Mark 10:6-9). This does not change until we are no longer in our human bodies, when we are either raptured or resurrected and not until that time.
F) Because God has joined the two, no man should separate them-- eg. adultery, divorce, the courts, etc, therefore, the marriage lasts their whole life, until one or both of them dies. (Matt 19:5-6; Mark 10:6-9)
G) Sexual relations of any kind outside the bounds of marriage is wrong (a sin), is to be resisted completely- in the power of Jesus’ death on the cross, and not acted upon- even if it is lust or in the imaginations in one’s mind. Temptation is not sin, but desiring it or acting on it in any way, including allowing our heart to desire such or imagine such in the heart or mind is wrong, and a sin.
H) Sexual attraction to the same sex is called by God an abomination (a deadly/destroying sin) from Satan, unnatural, wrong (a sin), is to be resisted completely- in the power of Jesus’ death on the cross, and not acted upon- even in lust (desires) or in our imaginations. God did not make man that way, but rather we are born with certain weaknesses (a sinful nature), and some other weaknesses are acquired during our lives, and strengthened when we act upon them ("whoever sins is a slave to sin"). People are not naturally homosexuals, nor born as homosexuals but become this way through indulging in sin and very often starts at a very young age through sexual abuse. Temptation is not sin, but acting on it in any way, including allowing our heart to desire such or imagine in our heart of such, is wrong, and a sin. The Bible is clear, saying sin begins in the heart- desires, and these must be crucified (put to death)(Matt 15:18). To make a distinction between being desirous of sin ("orientation", or same-sex attraction) and the act of sin is wrong and is simply a matter of time for the sin to mature in the heart of a person (James 1:13-15). But Jesus is able to cleanse and change a man’s heart as he submits his heart, mind, and desires to Jesus Christ. Temptation does not make a person homosexual nor does it mean they are a homosexual (nor same-sex attracted)- it is just that, a temptation from the Devil that is to be completely resisted. A person with a weakness to steal, for instance, we don’t call them “stealers” or “thieves”, no, and with continued resistance to that temptation they become less and less vulnerable to that temptation. But if that person begins to desire stealing, other people's things, in their heart they are already a thief. Therefore, we soundly reject the notion that “homosexual orientation” or "same-sex attraction) is not sin (as well as any other continued orientation towards sin (any sin)).
I) Through truth and mercy, a man departs from iniquity (Proverbs). Without the truth, a man remains in deception in the dark, and has no hope of getting out of his sin without God’s help and transformation into a new man, a born-again by the Spirit believer. If we lie to ourselves, there is no hope (1 John 1:8). To love the truth, is to love Jesus. Jesus said “I AM the way, the truth, and the life, and no man comes to the Father except through Me”. Through Jesus, there is mercy and the forgiveness of sins- if we humble ourselves and be honest with Him, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)
J) We do not teach nor practice a hatred for homosexual or transgender people (or any other sinner), nor should anything said here be interpreted that way. 1) Any interpretation of what we have written here as being hateful towards anyone is false and a lie. 2) we do not advocate for any maltreatment in any way towards homosexual or transgender people (or any other sinner), and any interpretation of what we have said here as doing so, is false and a lie. 3) just because we do not agree with these lifestyles of sin as being normal, born-that-way, or right morally, does not mean we hate anyone- we don’t, we just don’t agree with it, Scripture (God) doesn't agree with it, and our teaching does not agree with it either, and it never will because the Bible is very clear about these issues. 4) Since we so despise being hateful and cruel towards anyone, and since we believe the most hateful and the most cruel thing to do to someone is to lie to them, telling them that these lifestyles of sin are OK, normal, or acceptable to God, would be very wrong and we will not do that, but rather we will speak the truth to all in love, telling all men to repent from their sins, and turning from sin go the other way- towards God, and humbly ask Him for forgiveness of these. 5) Since God is love, and since we are His creation, love is defined by what God says it is in the Bible, not what a human being says it is. No human being nor angel has the authority to change God’s eternal Word. 6) it is unloving not to tell people the truth, and God is truth, His Word the Bible is truth, the very definition of it. So, we will not be unkind, nor cruel, nor unloving, as to not speak the truth, whether anyone likes it or not. Telling the truth, must not be allowed to be affected by the way someone may or may not like it. The truth does often hurt, but it also heals when/if it is received as truth and honestly confessed as so being true. God resists the proud of heart, but gives grace to the humble. God desires that all men repent of their sins, lest they perish in Hell forever (Luke 13:3-5; 16:15,30-31).
22) The Eternal Security of the Believer
A) We hold that a believer does have eternal security in Christ (“no one can snatch you out of My hand”, John 10:26-30), but that the believer must abide in Christ to be secure (those who don’t abide are cut off, whither, gathered, and are cast into the fire (John 15, see also Rev 3:3-5, 2 John 1:7-11.) Salvation by faith (faith to obedience to God) must be walked out fully to the end of one’s life. Every book in the NT, except for Philemon, warn about the dangers of false doctrine’s perils for a person’s soul- The Bible is not solemnly warning for no reason.
B) Outside of Christ there is no security- Christ is the ark of salvation, and we must abide (stay) in Him. Jesus Christ Himself is our eternal security. (John 15; Rom 11:20-23; 1 John 2:24-28; 1 John 4:13-15; 2 John 1:7-11; “abide” in Greek=μένω \menō\ is sometimes translated as “remain”,“dwell”, “continue in” in English translations; ἐπιμένω \epimenō\ is similar).
C) We hold that those whom God has chosen will, in the end, be with Jesus, these are those whose names were written in the Book of Life before the foundation of the Earth (John 17:24; Eph 1:4-6; 1 Pet 1:18-22; Rev 13:7-9.) This should provide great consolation of salvation, not doubt. (Heb 6:17-20)
D) God is able to keep a person who commits his/her soul to Him, not by the strength of ourselves but rather by the keeping power of God, thus we have strong consolation because of Jesus Christ our High Priest, Who sits at the right hand of The Father forever making intercession for us saints. (Jude 1:22-25; Heb 6:17-20). Therefore, because we are kept by God, there is strong consolation and security through Him (1 Peter 1:3-7).
E) We do not believe that “abiding” (John 15) means service only (full biblical context does not support that), but rather also the ability to live victoriously in Jesus, by Jesus, who dwells in us who believe upon Him. Only the overcomers will be in Heaven (instead of Hell), but our faith upon Jesus is our victory over sin and the Devil (John 16:32-33; John 1:3-5; 1 John 2:13-25, 4:4; 5:2-5; Rev 2:7,11,17,26, 3:5,12,21, 21:7-8.) This must be understood by faith. God is able to keep those who commit their keeping to Him – kept by the power of God (1 Peter 1:3-7). We must overcome through Jesus, we must never give up, but commit ourselves to His keeping. “The thief [Satan] comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11).
F) We are concerned that those who commit suicide will not be in Heaven with Jesus. We are not dogmatic about this, as circumstances vary, and God knows these and the heart, and He is the Judge. However, the book of Revelations warns repeatedly (1 John 2:13-19, 4:4; 5:2-5,16-18; Rev 2:7,11,17,26, 3:5,12,21, 21:7-8) about the necessity of being an overcomer to go to Heaven: overcoming temptation, sin, and self, and the Devil through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, Who died for our sins, through the operation of faith upon Him. Suicide is not overcoming sin and the world, it is often the opposite of death to the flesh man, and it is rather listening to Satan, then giving place to self and the flesh, and the lie, to obey its desires to kill ones self, instead of being crucified with Christ (Gal 2:20; 2 Cor 7:10; 1 John 5:16-18) and being a living sacrifice unto God (Rom 12:1-2). It certainly is not God's will that a Christian should kill themselves. We denounce the open pronouncements that someone who committed suicide is “in Heaven”- we do not know that, and it is likely not true, and then to teach others that it is so, would be gravely wrong.
